SHILLONG: The Meghalaya tourism department has selected 22 applicants out of a total of 35 applicants who applied for setting up Ateliers studios under the Ateliers Meghalaya Program.
The Meghalayan Age Limited (MAL) invited applications for setting up of Ateliers studios under the Ateliers Meghalaya Program.
The tourism department released a statement announcing the selection of 22 applicants. The statement said, "Altogether 35 entrepreneurs having the skills to make, market and distribute art/ craft objects came forward. Out of the 35 applicants, 22 applicants were found to be eligible and were shortlisted."
The shortlisted applicants will be provided a grant amount of up to Rs 5 lakh for setting up various craft and tourism promotional activities in the state.
The department also notified that the remaining candidates out of the 35 applicants will be provided a smaller grant amount of up to Rs 1 lakh for taking up similar activities.
The statement also mentioned that the Meghalayan Age Limited will contact the selected candidates for the next round of procedures.
Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma took to Twitter to congratulate the selected candidates. Tagging Minister of State of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Member of Parliament, and Damoh MP Prahlad Singh Patel, he wrote on Twitter, "Congratulations to the 22 applicants shortlisted for setting up of Ateliers studios under the #AteliersMeghalayaProgram. Applicants will be provided a grant support of upto ₹5 Lakhs/ ₹1 Lakh for taking up craft & tourism promotional activities in #Meghalaya. @prahladspatel"
The call for applications under the Ateliers Meghalaya Program was sent out in November 2020.
The grant of 5 lakh rupees will be provided through the Atelier Meghalaya Program for setting up of studio- cum- training centre, training of artisans, designing of new objects and documentation of the craft, and for any other activity related to prompting of tourism through the crafts and the people of Meghalaya.
Earlier, Meghalaya village Umden-Diwon was declared as the 'Eri Silk Centre' of the state.